Cowboy Hazel

I got the best birthday present ever today: a 5.8 mile run out in the afternoon heat without any serious issues from my knee. This came after a solid 4.4 miles yesterday. I couldn't have asked for anything better. I feel like things might actually be headed in the right direction.

Both yesterday and today's runs were little exploratory missions. When I first moved here, I ran over to Wards Island once and it scared the shit out of me. The whole place was just so creepy that I felt certain that I would never make it out alive. Understandably, I never returned after that first trip... until yesterday.

Not sure why, but when I saw the bridge I just felt that it was calling my name. I climbed up, then across, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the island was not nearly as sketchy as I'd remembered it. Maybe they cleaned it up, maybe it was because it was a weekend, or maybe because it's summer. I'm not sure. But, for whatever reason, this place was nothing like what I remembered.

I found a nice quiet little path along the water (a good chunk of it dirt trail), got to challenge myself with the incline of the bridge, and got to look back at my neighborhood from the other side of the river. All in all, it was a very cool run. So cool, in fact, that I headed back out there today (and went a little further). This route is definitely going to get thrown into the rotation more often now. In case you'd ever like to run it yourself, here's a map:



I have the deep tissue massage scheduled for tomorrow. I'm hoping that will help alleviate the "dull roar" of pain that is still present. Although it's not keeping me from running, it is very annoying. Of course, I'm still doing the whole recovery regimen every morning and evening. And I've added Glucosamine supplements as well on my dad's recommendation. So, hopefully with all that, this next year will bring me some running success. After all, according to Christopher McDougall, I now only have one more year before I peak as a runner.